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House gets classified Syria report, briefing

By JONATHAN ALLEN

08/31/2013 11:14 AM EDT

The White House has provided a classified version of its intelligence estimate on the Syrian government's reported use of chemical weapons to Congress and will host an interagency classified briefing for all interested House members on Sunday, according to a memo circulated to House Republicans on Saturday.

House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi had asked administration officials to consult with more members of Congress during an unclassified Thursday night conference call among Hill leaders and top officials at national security agencies.

Senate Republicans and Democrats are getting separate teleconference briefings on Saturday. The challenge of getting buy-in for retaliatory strikes may prove more difficult in the House, where nearly 200 lawmakers have expressed a desire to see President Barack Obama seek congressional authorization before launching strikes against Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

"The Speaker wants to ensure Members are aware the classified assessment on Syria was delivered to the Hill late last night," read the memo from the House Republican Conference to GOP lawmakers. "It is now available to all House Members on an equal access basis."

A Democratic aide confirmed that members of both parties are invited to Sunday's briefing. Aides to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers are on call this weekend to answer lawmakers's questions about the classified report. Rogers has been one of the most vocal GOP validators of the administration's case that Assad gassed his own people.

While most members are not in Washington -- and thus may have difficulty attending -- the GOP memo says more briefings will be held in the coming days. Given that the White House has not telegraphed a timeline for a strike, that could mean post-launch briefings.

"Please note, that if your Member is unable to participate that this will be one of many classified briefings," the memo reads. "However, given the numerous requests made, the Speaker wanted Members to have an opportunity this weekend."